Oh Tommy Tommy! Tommy Tommy Tommy Tommy……….

Now that the fat lady has finally sung and all pre-Scottish Cup Final attention is directed to talk of the transfer window the inevitable debate regarding the existing squad comes to the fore. Are Naka’s intentions permanently misquoted? Will Artur Boruc sign for (Insert team of Keevin’s choice)? Who will Jarosik sign for?

One employee who deserves a special mention is the enigma that is Thomas Gravesen. I have always been a fan of the rubber-faced impresario ever since I saw him destroy one of the most talented midfields single handedly when Denmark beat England in a friendly in August 2005.

Gravesen’s marauding style of play and passing ability inspired hooped images of grandeur in a Celtic Jersey. Just imagine what that man could do in the heart of a Celtic Team?

When the Rumour mills started telling us of tales about Tommy being prepared to drag his nuts over half a mile of broken glass to play in the Hoops we were initially inspired. We then remembered all the other stories that began with "Insert former players name told him all about how great it was to play in the Hoops" and wrote it off accordingly.

Then the Sharp-Suited man was pictured with him at Ross Hall Hospital and Timdom went crazy, only to be nullified when Hugh "Bonkers" Keevins told us gleefully that "Gravesen has boarded a plane never to return"

Two days later he was being paraded at Parkhead during what was arguably our most succesful transfer window since the concept was created.

Gravesen made his debut in a one nil victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie and instantly showed the same marauding energetic style that had enthralled the previous summer. The only problem was that he reminded me of a World ‘Piggy in the middle’ player on amphetamines, and a bad one at that!

A hat trick against St Mirren showed us what he was capable of before the first Champions League Group game came calling. This was the type of game we had signed Tommy for, and how he disappointed! Getting caught in possession time after time after time led to two of United’s three goals that night (although arguably a terrible pass from the equally impotent McGeady left him cruelly exposed on one occasion).

The rest of Tommy’s season has been, to say the least, polar. From the highs of his two goals in two games against Rangers to the ignominy of being left on the bench while any number of ‘lesser’ players got the nod ahead of him, Tommy has had a season to forget.

I believe that objectivity is required before any harsh or hasty decisions are made on TG’s future. It is important to remember that our midfield has been far from settled this season. With no fewer than 6 players playing at one time or another in the two central midfield positions could it be that certain pairings do little to compliment each other?

Is it no surprise or coincidence that Tommy’s more commanding and orthodox midfield performances have been when alongside Evander Sno?

Another factor that may be relevant in why this arguably world class player has failed to live up to his billing was the situation surrounding his previous employer. When the new regime took over at Madrid at the start of 2006 they really didn’t fancy what TG had to offer and this reflected in the amount of appearances he made. Could the fact that he was told to find himself a new club in March of that year and the lack of a full preseason to prepare him for the rigours of Scottish Football have affected him even slightly?

Only time will tell whether or not we will see him in the Hoops next season. I for one would like to assess what Tommy has to offer playing alongside an established midfield partner and also see what he has to offer after spending a full preseason at the club getting used to his team-mates and the style of football he will be playing.

I’m sure this topic will inspire plenty of debate. I would ask those who feel his ‘tea’s oot’ to remember other players who had indifferent first seasons only to become valuable assets. One such fitting example is Alan Stubbs, a player who after a difficult inaugural season never really lived up to his £4 million price tag until he was paired with a central defensive partner who complimented him. I.e. Marc Rieper.

Anyway off to the messageboards for a journalistic joust match!

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt